Motorcycle News, Editorials, Product Reviews and Bike Reviews

Is Pol Espargaro the Guy Who Will Finally Challenge Marquez?

On essentially the same equipment, Pol Espargara beat Marc Marquez straight up … more than once. But that was in Moto2.

The MotoGP rookie Espargaro is not quite as fortunate as Marquez, who received a factory Repsol Honda in his rookie year. Espargaro is aboard a Tech 3 Yamaha, a satellite bike, but he nevertheless is distinguishing himself as a MotoGP rookie. Currently 6th in the championship, Pol (as opposed to his brother Aleix) has six consecutive top 10 finishes after a 7th place at Catalunya. To earn that 7th place, he fought the top factory Ducati rider, Andrea Dovizioso, tooth-and-nail.

Could Pol Espargaro beat Marc Marquez on equal equipment? That question may be answered sooner, rather than later.

If only Tito Rabbat could benefit from the rookie rule and get that second Repsol next year. Not that HRC wants a real threat to MM’s chances of a 3rd title next year, but that guy’s been dominating moto2 this year and comes from Spain…

http://www.yamaha-racing.com/Racing/wall_of_fame/ Wow…Yamaha’s Wall of Fame GP Motorcycle Championships is long and impressive…especially multiple triple-consecutive #1s. I don’t know how Big Red compares, but it certainly appears Yamaha will get it’s mojo back one day, possibly with this sharp looking Spaniard.

I’m love Marquez more and more, but won’t lament seeing colors other than black and orange on the #1 podium someday soon.

Also, Marquez is a moving target (pun intended) and what happened in Moto2, as was pointed out, is in the past and the assumption that there’s been growth since is natural. Still, if Lorenzo has truly lost his mojo then some fresh faces will naturally follow.

Unless someone is on a Repsol Honda that’s a patch on MM’s bike, they won’t beat him. Rossi (or Stoner) could fight MM straight up. Lorenzo probably could, as well. Perhaps Pol also might, given enough seat time, but as it currently stands only Vale and Jorge could give Marquez a consistent fight, and only if they’re on equal machinery, which they aren’t.

We must not be watching the same races. Every time there’s a long straight and the Repsol Hondas easily swallow up the Yamahas, I doubt that Rossi and Lorenzo are thinking, “Hmmm, just a tiny difference. I got this!”

Hmm. And this year? Marc was a rookie last year. What you’re saying is even though Lorenzo had more wins Marquez still won the championship, ergo: Marc was more consistent than JL even in his rookie year. Lorenzo is struggling for consistency again this year, not crashing, but definitely not inspired every race. Even the geezer Rossi’s outriding Lorenzo. How demoralizing is that for JL? I think Lorenzo’s psyched and lacks mental toughness. Not saying he can’t get it back…

“What you’re saying is even though Lorenzo had more wins Marquez still won the championship, ergo: Marc was more consistent than JL even in his rookie year.”

It had little to do with consistency and everything to do with fortune, both good and bad. MM crashed a LOT more than Lorenzo did last year. Hell, MM was practically Ruben Xaus: The Second Coming. What decided last year’s championship was the simple fact that Lorenzo and Pedroza suffered major injuries as a result of their few crashes while Marquez always walked away unscathed following his numerous tumbles. If Marquez suffers the broken collarbone and misses a race or two before riding hurt for a couple more races and Lorenzo never gets hurt, it’s an entirely different championship.